Call for Papers
Developing and Communicating Identity via Technology
Special Issue of Human Communication & Technology
Submissions deadline: December 9, 2022
Identity plays a fundamental role in social and personal communication, and technologies serve as important venues for identity development, refinement, and display. Dr. Erin Sumner (Trinity University) and Dr. Andrew High (Penn State University) are editing a special issue of Human Communication & Technology entitled “Developing and Communicating Identity via Technology.”
We are accepting submissions that examine the role of technologies and/or communication modalities with regard to the development of identity (e.g., development of sense of self, and/or identity experimentation) and/or the communication or perception of identity (e.g., self-presentation and self-disclosure). We welcome empirical submissions that explore our broad topic using quantitative, interpretive, or critical analysis of observations/data. We also welcome theoretical pieces related to identity firmly grounded in mediated spaces and modalities. In alignment with the aims and scope of Human Communication & Technology, communication technologies and/or questions of modality must play a primary role in both the core conceptual/theoretical framework and analysis of submitted manuscripts. Although this list is not exhaustive, potential topics include the following:
- Self-presentation and/or self-disclosure in various online spaces (e.g., social media, online dating apps, online gaming communities, video-conferencing, and chat groups)
- Group and/or organizational identity processes in online spaces (e.g., SIDE model, social identity theory, communication theory of identity)
- Context collapse, identity compartmentalization, and/or other issues related to the presentation of self to various online audiences (e.g., Instas and Finstas)
- The role of perceived channel affordances (e.g., editability, anonymity, privacy) in relation to the communication or perception of identity
- Processes related to the provision or receipt of identity-related social support
- Evaluation of messages based upon accompanying cues related to identity
- Identity shift online
- Identity processes in virtual realities (e.g., avatars and the “metaverse”)
- Communication of gender and/or sexual identity via communication technology.
- How perceptions of others’ identities shape message construction or interpretation via communication technology
- Communication of marginalized identities in online spaces
This special issue will place high value on diversity, equality, and inclusion. The editors especially seek to publish studies that directly explore or gather data from samples that are diverse with regards to race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, and socio-economic status.
Submissions must be submitted by 11:59 pm, Pacific Standard Time on December 9th, 2022.
To learn more about Human Communication & Technology, please see the homepage (https://journals.ku.edu/hct/index) and its editorial team (https://journals.ku.edu/hct/about/editorialTeam). To submit a manuscript, please click on the “make a submission” button.
Submissions should be no more than 8,000 words all inclusive (abstract, main document, references, tables, figures), but not including supplemental material. Please include a brief cover letter indicating that your manuscript should be reviewed for this special issue. Submissions should include an abstract of no more than 150 words, a list of 4-5 keywords, and follow all other formatting guidelines, as displayed on the journal website: https://journals.ku.edu/hct/about/submissions. Submissions should preferably follow APA 7th edition formatting, but other formatting options are permitted.
Questions about this special issue should be directed to one or both of the editors: Dr. Erin Sumner- ebryant@trinity.edu and/or Dr. Andrew High- ach208@psu.edu).
Note that Human Communication & Technology is also welcoming submissions on topics outside the scope of this special issue. General submissions can be made via the journal website at any point in time, with any questions directed to Dr. Jeffrey Hall (hallj@ku.edu).
Thank you for your consideration.